Hamilton stood still for a moment, astonished by the unlooked-for obscurity.

His entrance checked the combatants, who at first imagined that one of their masters had made his appearance, if that could be said to appear which was hardly discernible in the dim light which came through the half-open door.

Hamilton begged one of the boys with him to fetch a light, and taking advantage of the momentary lull, he called out, "Is this Bedlam, gentlemen?
You ought to be ashamed of yourselves! What's the matter, Mortimer ?" "Oh!" replied Ferrers, "they've been teasing his little brother, and he can't abide it." "I only mean to say, that Louis shan't be plagued in this manner," cried Reginald, passionately; "and you know if the others were not here you wouldn't dare to do it, you bully!" "For shame, Mortimer," said Hamilton, decidedly; and coming up to Reginald he drew him a little aside, not without a little resistance on Reginald's part--"What's the matter, Mortimer ?" "Matter! why that they are doing all they can to hinder Louis from knowing his lessons to-morrow.

I won't stand it.

He has borne enough of it, and patiently too." "But is that any reason you should forget that you are a gentleman ?" said Hamilton.
"My book is here, dear Reginald," said Louis, touching his brother's shoulder.
Reginald darted a fierce glance at Ferrers, but not being able to substantiate an accusation against him, remained silent, and, under the eye of Hamilton and his friend Trevannion, the remainder of the evening passed in a way more befitting the high places in the school which the young gentlemen held; but Louis had been so much interrupted, and was so much excited and unsettled by the noise and unwonted scenes, that when Dr.Wilkinson came at nine to read prayers, he had hardly prepared one of his lessons for the next day..